Zara’s Run – Mountains, Meat, and a Little Mishap

What a day for The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club! We kicked things off with a great coffee stop at Die Eike Padstal before taking our beach buggy builds and old school VW machines through the best Western Cape mountain passes. After a tight squeeze over a single-lane bridge, our VW air-cooled convoy looked incredible against the mountain backdrop. From a custom Baja Bug to a guest Mustang, every old school VW fan had something to cheer for.

Lunch at the Calabash Bush Pub was top-notch, giving Nick just enough time for a quick VW air-cooled carburetor setting. The trip home through the Western Cape gave us some “weekend warrior” drama when Neil’s 53 Herbie went mors dood. We tried a petrol top-up at the Engen 1-Stop, but the old school VW motor wasn’t budging. I towed him with my beach buggy to Okavango before we met the A-frame rescue. As a dedicated beach buggy club, we make sure no VW air-cooled classic gets left behind!

A pristine red and white classic VW Kombi parked at a Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club event in Cape Town.
This rare 2-litre automatic Kombi has been with its original owner since the 1970s—a true legend of our Cape Town runs.
A custom red and black T-Bug beach buggy parked at the Engen Winelands N1 meeting point during a Wild Buggers club event.
Hugo’s rare T-Bug making an appearance at our morning meeting spot—a beautiful example of a classic air-cooled custom.
A line-up of yellow and green classic beach buggies and a VW Kombi parked at a meeting point in the Western Cape.
Some of the old school legends gathering for a Wild Buggers run—look at that line-up of custom buggies and classic VWs.
Side view of Anton Kleyn and Mickey’s green Kango beach buggy named Shrek parked at the Engen Winelands N1 meeting point.
Anton Kleyn and Mickey’s green Kango, Shrek, showing off its 1400 Nissan water cooled motor at the start of the Zara’s Run.
Front view of a lime green and black Kestrel KartKraft beach buggy with Halogen spotlights parked in a paved lot.
Making the trip all the way from Kleinmond in their green and black Kestrel KartKraft, powered by a 1400 Nissan motor.
A close-up side view of a lime green and black Kestrel KartKraft beach buggy with a roof rack and spotlights.
Another look at the Kestrel KartKraft that made the trip from Kleinmond—built for the long haul with extra storage.
A bright yellow Salamander beach buggy named BumbleBee with black trim and a roll bar parked at the Engen Winelands N1 meeting point.
Anthony and Michelle Jenkins’ yellow 1600 VW air-cooled Salamander, BumbleBee, ready for action.
A white VW Baja Bug bakkie conversion with off-road tires and a front bull bar parked at a club meeting point.
Andre and Karen Welsh’s unique white Baja Bug bakkie, powered by a classic 1600 VW air-cooled motor.
A group of colorful beach buggies, a white Baja Bug bakkie, and a red and white VW Kombi parked together at the Engen Winelands N1 meeting point.
A fantastic turnout at our meeting point featuring a mix of old school VW classics and custom builds.
A club member named Yolande in a red shirt standing by a blue beach buggy bakkie having coffee and a snack at the meeting point.
Yolande grabbing a quick coffee and a bite before we get the air-cooled convoy moving.
A group of people standing and chatting next to a classic red and white VW Kombi with its side door open at a sunny outdoor meeting point.
Club members gathering around the legendary one-owner 1970s Kombi to hear more about its incredible history.
A head-on shot of an immaculate red and white 1970s VW Kombi with a chrome VW badge and yellow license plate.
A front view of the legendary 2-litre automatic Kombi—kept in showroom condition by its original owner since the 70s.
A white Beamish beach buggy named 53 with a custom white flip-up roof and blue side decals parked at a meeting point.
Nick and Ellie Mitchell showing off their white VW air-cooled Beamish, featuring a unique custom-made flip-up roof.
Nick Mitchell inspecting the engine of his white Beamish beach buggy with the custom roof flipped up at a meeting point.
Nick dealing with some carburetor gremlins on his Beamish “53”—the custom flip-up roof makes engine access a breeze.
Nick Mitchell and Rhoodie kneeling behind a white beach buggy to tune the air-cooled engine's carburetor at a meeting point.
Nick and Rhoodie getting under the hood of “53” to tune the carb before hitting the open road.
A group of people gathered around the open engine bay of a white Beamish beach buggy at a meeting point.
Everyone pitching in to help Nick and Rhoodie get the carburetor sorted on “53.”
A group of men standing around the back of a white beach buggy, looking at the engine while one person kneels to work on the carburetor.
The “technical committee” in deep discussion—still trying to figure out the best way to get Nick’s carb back in tune.
A long line of beach buggies and VW classic cars driving along a scenic highway in the Western Cape.
The Wild Buggers convoy is officially on the move and heading for a well-deserved coffee break at Die Eike.
A white beach buggy approaching the N1 Worcester and R101 Worcester road signs with the mountains of Du Toits Kloof in the distance.
Making the turn toward Worcester—the start of a legendary mountain drive.
A view from a green beach buggy looking at a white buggy and yellow buggy turning toward the scenic R101 route.
The view from the pilot’s seat as the convoy peels off the N1 to take the scenic mountain pass.
A white beach buggy driving past a brown road sign that reads "DU TOITSKLOOFPASS For 19 km" with massive, jagged mountains in the background.
19 kilometers of pure driving bliss—the Wild Buggers taking on the Du Toits Kloof Pass.
A line of colorful beach buggies driving along a long, straight road leading toward massive, jagged mountains under a clear blue sky.
Heading for the hills—the convoy making tracks toward the mountains on our scenic weekend run.
A line of beach buggies driving on a paved road with a massive, jagged mountain range in the background under a blue sky.
You can’t beat these views when you’re cruising in an old school VW.
A white Beamish beach buggy with a custom exhaust driving on a winding mountain road followed by a convoy of classic cars.
Nick Mitchell leading Shrek over the pass—engine purring and views for days.
Members of The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club gathered around a pristine red and white 2-litre automatic VW Kombi at a mountain lookout.
A true legend of the road—this one-owner 2-litre automatic Kombi was a highlight of Zara’s Run.
Members of the Wild Buggers club standing near a red and white VW bus at a gravel lookout point on top of a mountain pass.
Stretching the legs and taking in the breathtaking views at the top of the pass.
Two men, one wearing a Wild Buggers club shirt, kneeling behind a red and white VW Kombi with the engine bay open at a mountain lookout.
Giving the 2-litre automatic Kombi some attention after it got a bit too hot on the climb.
A custom white VW Baja Bug bakkie with a roll bar and off-road tires parked at a mountain lookout in the Western Cape.
Andre and Karen Welsh showing off their unique 1600 VW air-cooled Baja Bug bakkie at the summit.
A bright green Kango beach buggy named Shrek and a yellow Beamish beach buggy named Bugg parked at a mountain lookout.
Shrek and Bugg taking a breather at the top of the pass—two different builds, one shared passion.
A red T-Bug beach buggy and an orange Salamander beach buggy named The Wasp parked at a gravel mountain lookout with other buggies in the background.
Hugo’s red T-Bug and Brent & Sam’s orange “The Wasp” soaking up the sun at the top of the pass.
A white Beamish beach buggy with a hardtop parked at a mountain lookout, with Rhoodie walking past in the foreground and mountains in the distance.
Nick Mitchell’s white Beamish enjoying the view at the summit while Rhoodie stretches his legs.
Three yellow beach buggies parked in a row at a mountain lookout, including a Beamish, a Salamander named The BumbleBee, and a Kango buggy.
The yellow squad lined up at the summit: Jacques & Coralie’s Beamish, Anthony & Michelle’s “The BumbleBee,” and Fabian’s Kango.
Two club members, one in a red shirt and cowboy hat, standing at the edge of a mountain lookout chatting with a vast valley and blue sky in the background.
Discussing the drive and taking in the massive views from the top of the pass.
A white beach buggy followed by a red buggy driving on a long road with a mountain in the background featuring a large "GOUDINI SPA" sign.
Keeping the momentum going as the convoy passes the famous Goudini Spa.
A variety of colorful beach buggies, a white VW Beetle with a "53" decal, and a white Baja Bug bakkie parked on a green lawn with a mountain in the background.
The full squad safely gathered on the grass at our first destination.
A wide view of a green lawn filled with colorful beach buggies, a white VW Beetle, and a red and white Kombi, with club members walking around and mountains in the background.
A total takeover—the Wild Buggers crew claiming our spot on the grass at Die Eike.
A wide shot of various colorful beach buggies, a white VW Beetle, and a red and white Kombi parked on a green lawn with a mountain in the background.
The full convoy settled in at Die Eike—from Shrek and Bugg to the legendary 2-litre Kombi.
A long line of colorful beach buggies, including a blue Kango and several yellow Beamish buggies, parked on a lawn with club members heading toward a building for coffee.
Coffee time! The Wild Buggers taking a well-earned breather after conquering the pass.
A group of people sitting at wooden picnic tables under large, shady trees with a mountain backdrop. Some are wearing blue and black Wild Buggers club shirts.
Catching up and sharing a few laughs in the shade at Die Eike.
Members of The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club sitting at wooden picnic tables under large trees, chatting and enjoying drinks with mountains in the background.
Time for a breather—the crew enjoying some shade and a lekker chat at Die Eike.
A white beach buggy leads a convoy including a red and white VW Kombi and several yellow buggies along a winding mountain road.
Back on the road—the convoy stretching out as we head toward our final stop.
Members of the Wild Buggers club sitting at outdoor wooden tables under shady trees, chatting and relaxing during a pitstop.
Trading the steering wheels for some shade and a good chat at our first destination.
A red T-Bug beach buggy driving on a winding asphalt road, followed by a white and a yellow buggy, with a steep embankment on the right.
Hugo’s red T-Bug setting the pace as we leave the mountains behind.
A line of colorful beach buggies, including red, yellow, and white models, driving along a winding mountain pass under a clear blue sky.
Keeping it tight through the corners—the Wild Buggers in their element on the open road.
A white VW Baja Bug bakkie, a black Ford Mustang, and a white VW Beetle with racing stripes crossing a narrow single-lane concrete bridge over a river.
André’s Baja bakkie, a guest Mustang, and Neil’s Herbie making their way across the river bridge.
A red and white VW Kombi followed by several colorful beach buggies driving across a narrow, single-lane concrete bridge with a large mountain in the background.
The big red Kombi leading the pack across the river—steady does it on the narrow bridge!
A long line of colorful beach buggies, a red and white VW Kombi, and a white Baja Bug crossing a narrow single-lane concrete bridge over a river.
The full squad making their way across—one at a time and steady as she goes!
A wooden sign saying "Calabash Bush Pub" at the entrance to a rustic outdoor venue with stone walls and a thatched roof.
Mission accomplished! The Wild Buggers arriving at the Calabash Bush Pub for a well-deserved lunch.
A man in a blue shirt and grey shorts leaning over the exposed engine of a white beach buggy with a toolbox resting on the rear bodywork.
Nick making a quick adjustment to his carburetor before joining the crew for lunch.
Members of the Wild Buggers club walking out of the Calabash Bush Pub entrance, with stone walls and lush greenery in the background.
Bellies full and spirits high—the Wild Buggers heading back to their buggies.
Members of the Wild Buggers club in their blue club shirts walking in a line down a stone path away from the Calabash Bush Pub.
Lunch is done and the road is calling—the crew heading back to the buggies.
A line of colorful beach buggies and a white VW Beetle with a "53" decal driving along a paved road with trees and a large building in the background.
Back on the blacktop—the Wild Buggers heading home after a successful run.
A white VW Beetle with "53" racing decals leading a line of yellow and orange beach buggies down a long straight road with trees on the side.
The final stretch—members falling out of the convoy as they head home.
A white VW Beetle with "53" racing stripes parked on the shoulder. One man in a floral shirt is leaning into the open front boot, while another in a red shirt and red cap looks into the open rear engine bay.
A true team effort—Fabian checking the motor while Neil hunts for tools to get Herbie back on the road.
A white VW Beetle with "53" racing stripes parked on the grassy shoulder of a road, with Anton and Fabian standing nearby investigating the engine bay.
Disaster strikes—Neil’s Herbie deciding it’s had enough for one day.
A white VW Beetle (Herbie 53) being towed by a bright green beach buggy with a yellow tow strap at an Engen petrol station.
When the petrol didn’t work, it was time for a tow. Shrek’s green machine taking the lead.
A white VW Beetle with the number 53 on the side has its engine lid open at a petrol station, while two men in casual summer clothes work on the motor.
Not the way we planned to finish, but the Wild Buggers never leave a man behind.
A green beach buggy with a "Shrek" logo on the wing towing a white VW Beetle with racing stripes at a petrol station, while Fabian follows in his yellow buggy.
All hitched up and ready to roll—Shrek leading the way with Herbie in tow.
A close-up photo of a dusty VW carburetor with a silver cone air filter and a throttle return spring.
A closer look at the Gremlin—Herbie’s carburetor giving us uphill on the home stretch.
A man lying on the asphalt underneath the front bumper of a white Herbie VW Beetle to attach a black metal A-frame tow bar, while two people hug in the background.
Mission accomplished—hooking up the A-frame for the final trip back to Bergvliet.
Neil lying on the road underneath the front bumper of his white 53 VW Beetle, bolting on a black metal A-frame tow bar while friends watch nearby.
No trailers needed—Neil getting the A-frame locked in for the final leg to Bergvliet.

Catch Us Next Time!

Ready to join the convoy? Don’t just watch from the sidelines. Our Beach Buggy Club is already planning the next adventure. Join us for our Valentine’s Run on 14 February. Whether you’re in a buggy, a Beetle, or just love the air-cooled VW life, come share the love for the road with us! Check out our Next Event page

Want the full story behind these photos?

Read the official The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club trip report to find out how we tackled the Western Cape mountain passes, visited Die Eike, and eventually had to rescue Herbie!

Read the Full Zara’s Run Article Here

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ANTON KLEYN